The Debate: Should bosses be banned from asking for salary history?

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is advocating for a ban on employers asking prospective employees about their previous salary. Advocates argue that an individual's past earnings should not dictate their worth in a new position, as this can perpetuate gender pay gaps and other forms of inequality such as those caused by caregiving responsibilities or workplace discrimination.

The EHRC contends that publishing salary information in job advertisements would allow candidates to negotiate based on a more equitable framework rather than being forced into a power imbalance where they must disclose their earnings history.

However, critics maintain that a ban could inadvertently harm the very individuals it aims to protect. The concern is that under a ban, candidates may be more likely to voluntarily share their current salary, particularly if they are already earning higher wages. This could lead to employers offering lower salaries to potential employees, as they may assume their worth is lower based on the information shared.

Furthermore, transparency in salary ranges through job adverts would already provide candidates with the necessary information to negotiate effectively, without the need to disclose individual earnings histories. Critics also argue that the practical challenges for employers in implementing such a ban could outweigh its benefits, as they may find themselves in a situation where they must lower their initial offer and subsequently lose the candidate to a competitor.